shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

Interesting read from the San Francisco Chronicle today about the age gaps in the electorate. While the piece talks about the different perspective on age, it digs a little deeper and brings up the issue of socioeconomic status. According to The Numbers from ABC News, it appears that how much you make is a bigger factor than how many years you’ve got. This is a valid point, especially when you consider that key issues like health care and financial security are both connected to your finances. Regardless of age, everyone is concerned about skyrocketing health care cost, but especially those who are struggling the most financially. As for financial security, it’s no different – those who are the most concerned are those who feel least secure today.

The Planning to Retire blog over at US News and World Report peeks at a new report that throws caution to the wind for women when it comes to planning for retirement. According to the report, women are twice as likely to end up in poverty when they are older. Check it out ladies...

MarketWatch: Advice On Finding Health Insurance After Job Loss

"When your health insurance is sponsored by your employer, as it is for 158 million Americans, losing your job or having your hours reduced can amount to a double whammy: Gone not only is your income but the health coverage you counted on." Many workers come to depend upon their spouses plan, but if that's not "available to you as a back-up, there's always Cobra" which "allows you to continue on your employer's plan generally up to 18 months after a job loss." And "buying a policy on the individual market" is a possibility, but pre-existing conditions can get workers "outright denied or stuck with a huge premium for coverage." Gerencher writes, "Between high prices and obstacles to getting coverage outside of the employer-based system, it's no wonder 47 million people are uninsured."

Chicago Tribune: Boomers Drive Demand For New Muscle Cars

According to one garage owner, "The new cars feel like a nostalgia market to me,' he says. ... And he's not talking Generation X-or Y, for that matter. 'They're all into "Fast and Furious"; this is a last hurrah for the Boomers.' New York-based generational analyst Ann Fishman agrees," saying, "Boomers are a nostalgic generation. They dwell on their youth, particularly the cult of the '60s." And Colin Comer, author of the "Million-Dollar Muscle Cars: The Rarest and Most Collectible Cars of the Performance Era" says, "With the incredible technology available there are lots of ways to keep the traditional V-8 alive. A huge indication that fuel prices and m.p.g. aren't an issue is all the aftermarket support for "retro-muscle"-superchargers, turbos, headers, exhausts. It's still 1969."

MarketWatch: Worker Shortage Will Replace Unemployment

"Though we wisely worry about rising unemployment during this recession of 2008, there is another, quite different problem that soon will confront the nation: a shortage of workers." The problem "is coming largely because the fabled baby boom generation was so huge -- 75 million Americans born in the 18 years from 1946 to 1964 -- that no other generation can be expected to match it any time soon." According to W. Stanton Smith, an analyst at Deloitte LLP, "an estimated 24 million baby boomers will have left the active workforce, primarily from executive, administrative, and managerial jobs."

America’s suburbs have become a source of learning for foreigner planners, according to a story earlier in the month from USA Today. There are some good things happening in this country, like mixed use development, those nice town centers and easy access to public transportation spots. Unfortunately, they are not everywhere. In too many American suburbs if you don’t drive, you are stuck at home. If our brethren from the rest of the world want a lesson to take home, it should be that suburbs need more travel choices and services close by - especially with men and women outliving their driving years by six and 10 years respectively. This isn’t just for those who are not able to drive, a little exercise never hurt. And if you throw in the price of gas these days, a walk doesn’t sound like a bad idea for just about anyone.

Bloomberg News: Veto-Proof Majority Blocks Medicaid Regulations In The House

"A veto-proof majority of the U.S. House voted to block seven Medicaid regulations issued by the Bush administration that would cut federal payments to states by $33 billion during the next decade." Over "120 Republicans today joined the chamber's Democratic majority to approve legislation" by a vote of "349 to 62." Legislators are "reluctant to cut politically sensitive programs such as Medicaid in an election year," and "said the administration's rules would reduce funding for a host of critical services for low-income Americans." At the end of the article, Bloomberg News writes, "Elaine Ryan, vice president of the Washington-based advocacy group AARP, praised the legislation. 'This bill will protect people from losing coverage for health-care services they need but cannot afford,' Ryan said in a statement. 'While we recognize that fraud, waste and abuse in Medicaid must be reduced to bring down the cost of health care, the cuts proposed by the administration go too far and only shift the bill to the people in Medicaid, rather than addressing the root of the problem.'"

US News and World Report: Despite Improvement, Drug Prices Still High With Medicare

"Having Medicare makes someone less likely to go without food to pay for medicine, but the sickest patients are still skipping medications because of costs, a new report says. The three-year-old Medicare Part D benefit...has led to some improvements but nothing revolutionary, according to the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. 'This study reveals that the federal government has more work to do to assure that the Medicare Part D program meets the needs of the most vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries,' Gail Shearer, director of health policy analysis at Consumers Union, told HealthDay. 'It is unacceptable that the sickest beneficiaries may not be filling prescriptions or taking the full doses or courses of their medicines because they simply can't afford to.'"

CNN: Republicans Block Fair Pay Bill In House

The bill that stalled Wednesday would have reset the clock with every paycheck, with supporters arguing that each paycheck was a discriminatory act. But Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Georgia Republican, said the bill would allow retirees drawing pensions to sue their old companies over allegations of discrimination that happened decades ago."

Hi everyone, I’m Jennie Chin Hansen, AARP’s new soon to be new President. While my tenure is filled with firsts – I am a boomer, a gerontologist and an Asian American – I also will be the first AARP President to blog. I will be posting twice monthly here at shAARPsession, so check back to hear the latest on what we’re doing.

As you might imagine, AARP has a full agenda. Between our work on Divided We Fail, our new and engaging website (with social networking), as well as our growing membership, as well as our recognition of our 50th anniversary I am honored to be a part of what will be occurring in these next two years. I also know, however, that many Americans are concerned about their future and the future of their children and grandchildren. People are anxious about their finances and about their health care.

Our founder, the first female principal in the California, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, left us an important saying: what we do, we do for all. I hope you all know that is still at the core of what we believe and do.

Along these lines, each year on the second Thursday in May, we launch AARP’s Day of Service to lend a hand to our local communities. Last year, more than 33,000 people gave back and this year we expect even more. We'd like to invite you to join us!

Visit AARP's Make a Difference site where you can choose a Day of Service activity, connect with others, suggest ideas or let us know what you think about giving back to your community.

We’re here to support you. Whether you need resources on how to care for an aging parent or loved one, need to figure out how much you will need to retire, or even if you just want to kick back and make a new acquaintance online, AARP has all of this for you.

I look forward to hearing and connecting with you. You can leave comments here or send me an email.

For those of you who are doing your part to stay young, it looks like drinking up just might aid in your efforts. Drugmaker Glaxo Smith Klein is acquiring a company that has been researching the link between a component in red wine and longevity.

Sounds like a good justification for happy hour, but whatever it takes!

Business Week: Study Finds "No Real Revolution" In Prescriptions For Medicare Part D

"A new report from the Harvard Medical School has found that "the Medicare Part D benefit has resulted in some improvements for seniors but no real revolution in prescription drug adherence," noting that while "Medicare beneficiaries are less likely to forego basic needs such as food to pay for medicine...the sickest patients are still skipping meds due to burdensome costs."

Baltimore Sun: President Expected To Sign Fall Prevention Act

"President Bush is expected to sign a measure this week sponsored by Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski and passed by Congress that aims to raise awareness - through education and research - of how falls affect seniors and what can be done to protect them."

Marketwatch: Pundit Sees Americans Saving More, Spending Less

"Spending wisely usually means not spending as much. And that is exactly what's occurring throughout the country: People are spending smart." A survey "conducted by Harris Interactive for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) finds that 25% of U.S. adults are spending wisely or not spending as much as a means of saving money"

As we have seen across the nation, voters 50 plus are a key part of tonight's Democratic race in Pennsylvania. According to exit polls from CNN, 59 percent of those who showed up at the polls were 50 or older. At nearly every state that has held primaries, approximately half of the voters were 50 plus.

The economy continues to dominate, with 55 percent of voters saying it is the issue they are most concerned about. This is consistent with what we have seen with our own members, who are concerned not only about their financial futures, but the financial future of their children and grandchildren.

Clay’s got some competition from Nancy Liatsis of Brooklyn, NY who won AARP Brooklyn’s Senior Idol Contest. Contestants ranged in age from early 50’s to 85, but Liatsis belted out “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Grobin to make her tops in the borough.

n honor of Earth Day, social networking site Boomj has put together a list of Top 10 Green Baby Boomers. The list includes lots of familiar names (Blythe Danner, George Clooney, Bono), but my personal favorite is the owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bob Nutting, who has team scouts using “fuel flex” cars. Happy Earth Day!

AP: House To Begin Debating Medicaid Changes

"Congress is poised to take up a measure Tuesday that would put a temporary halt to Medicaid changes that critics say would cut services and cost the states $50 billion over five years." Michigan representative John Dingell "is leading the fight to pass the bill, which was scheduled for House debate Tuesday." A one year delay "would cost about $1.6 billion, but moratorium supporters say they'd cover the cost by cutting Medicaid recipient abuse and borrowing from a reserve fund."

UPI: Study Shows Employers Shifting Health Care Costs To Employees

"U.S. employers are transferring more healthcare costs to employees, currently at about one month's salary," according to Aon Consulting's 2008 Benefits and Talent Survey. The report found that the "median annual contribution for family healthcare coverage is $3,120, which is a 15 percent increase from 2007 and 22 percent increase from 2006." A survey of American organizations "found that 64 percent of employers now have a benefits strategy that promotes the importance of health and productivity to their employees," a "three-fold" increase last year.

USA Today: Housing Crisis Draw In Renters

"The most brutal real estate slump in decades is reverberating through the rental market. Renters in properties that are being foreclosed on are being evicted." Homeowners "forced into foreclosure are becoming tenants again and driving up rents. And renters not yet ready to buy a home -- shut out by stricter lending rules or hoping to buy after prices fall still further -- are creating a dynamic shift: Even as real estate is sputtering, the rental market is surging." Indeed, rents "are accelerating in many markets across the USA. Vacancy rates are down from last year, and average rent is projected to rise 5.3% in 2008, up from a 3.1% increase in 2007, according to the National Association of Realtors. In some cities, rents are climbing at a double-digit clip."

Actor Andie MacDowell turns 50 today. She hit it big with starring roles in the films Ground Hog Day and Four Weddings and a Funeral. She currently lives in Biltmore Forest, North Carolina and is has maintained an active lifestyle as an avid outdoors-woman. She has also shown fans that aging can be beautiful and glamorous. Happy 50th Andie!

Fox News: AARP Responds To Murtha Calling McCain Too Old For Presidency

Heather Nauert writes, "Congressman Murtha should know better than to pick on someone for their age. This week the 75 year Pennsylvania Democrat and Clinton supporter said being president 'is no old man's job,' refering to John McCain's White House run," and the accompanying job stress. Nauert continues, "Tell that to AARP. When I heard Murtha's criticism, I wondered what the folks at AARP would say so I gave them a call. Ouch, take a look..." Nauert carries an extended quote from AARP spokesman Drew Nannis, who says, "We judge people on their ability, not their age, race or gender. We don't agree with Chairman Murtha's assessment any more than we would agree if someone accused the Chairman of being too old to control the federal funding of our armed forces at a time when our nation is at war -- certainly no slouch job, either." Nannis adds, "This election has thrown out all the traditional stereotypes. Voters don't seem to care about race, age or gender, but about voting for the candidate that will address health care and financial security issues."

AP: GOA Says Administration's SCHIP Policy Violated Rule

The GAO "advised Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., that the administration's policy changes amounted to a rule that should have been submitted to Congress and the comptroller general before going into effect. Instead, the administration sent a letter to state health officials informing them of the changes they were making to the program, which it described as a clarification of existing law." In a joint statement with Sen. Olympia Snowe Rockefeller said, "CMS now has a critical choice to make: rescind the rule or continue to spend taxpayer money defending a growing list of lawsuits it is unlikely to win."

US News and World Report: Health Care Divide Between Parties Looks To Play Major Role In General Election

"While the Democratic candidates want to use government as a lever to aid the 47 million people in the U.S. without health insurance, Sen. John McCain would rely much more heavily on the free market. The likely Republican nominee has begun charging that his Democratic rivals 'want government to take over the health-care system.'" Democratic candidates' "priority is to cover all, or nearly all, the uninsured, except for several million illegal immigrants," by creating "a marketplace where people could buy coverage from private companies or the government, with subsidies for lower-income earners." McCain's plan has been criticized for a leaving out those ill with pre-existing conditions. McCain has said that those with "particularly expensive health-care needs" would be given "special subsidies administered through Medicaid, the state-run health program for the poor. But how that would work or who would qualify is unclear."